Lunch w/ Preston and Susie

February 15th Tuesday - Sunny, Cloudless Day, 35 degrees

Lou and I had an early appointment to have our taxes prepared and we had planned to meet Preston and Susie for lunch at a designated place that is about half way between both of our homes; however, our appointment was much longer than we had estimated and we were not able to leave Mansfield until 1:00 pm, so by the time we arrived for lunch we only had about 25 minutes to chat with them until they had to leave for home, as they had made arrangements, to take a friend to an oral surgeon. It was a quick "hello" and "goodbye", but always great to see them even if for a short time.

You can see from the pictures, the restaurant we chose was an interesting place and the table that Preston and Susie had chosen was under a plane which Lou admired. We had a blazing fire to enjoy and the surroundings were also very enjoyable making our lunch very special.

After our of grilled chicken salad with strawberry cheesecake, Lou and I drove to the Woolrich Store and had a wonderful time looking around and really came away feeling like we had a tour through time remembering when we all wore the original "Woolrich" coats that were made right here in Pennsylvania from Pennsylvania grown wool. Some of the wool that I grew from our Suffolk sheep was bought by Woolrich and was woven into fabric and sown into clothing right here in Pennsylvania. Now I understand the sewing is all done in China. All in all it was a wonderful day to travel and certainly was a nice day to do something different. A day enjoyed by all of us.

Happy Valentine's Day

February 14th Valentine's Day 41 degrees - Thawing!!!

Lou and I celebrated Valentine's Day by going to Head Start early this morning to square dance for them and then we taught them a couple easy steps. They were all fun to work with and all eager to learn. Us older folks are all amazed at how quickly the little folk learn. Wish we could pick up the steps as easily as they do. I know I wouldn't have to take as many lessons.

We here in northeastern Pennsylvania are witnessing something we have not seen in some time. It is called thawing of the snow and ice. A very welcome sight.

We had thought our pheasant has left; however, Lou called me this morning to come to the kitchen window and there she was filling her beak with sunflower seeds. I don't know where she had been for the last few days, but she must have found a safe haven some place.

Lou and I are off to have the car serviced and then to the mall to run errands and have dinner out and take advantage of the good roads to get a few extra things accomplished.

Border is Up

February 9th Wednesday -13 degrees - Sunny - very little windy

This morning was certainly different from yesterday, in respect, that we did not have to shovel, other than Lou did go out and shovel a couple spot that did drift during the night last evening. He did wait for the temperature to travel from the negative thirteen degrees to a positive twenty degrees to do so and that was just before lunch.

We received an additional four inches of snow yesterday which wasn't all that bad, as it was a light snow; however, the wind blew at thirty miles per hour gusts and you know that caused drifts, so finally we just gave up and left it for day light today.

I have continued with my kitchen. I have taken everything out of all of my cupboards, sorted, thrown some things away, given things away and given things to Good Will. Lou has repaired some drawers that needed attention. We are now awaiting the arrival of the new items that we ordered. The wall paper border is up. Every knick-knack, doily, napkin, dishtowel, table runner, etc. has been washed, hung outside and ironed ready to find a new spot once everything arrives.

Only had one mishap.... I was replacing the twinkle lights above the island between the kitchen and the living room going from one chair to the next when I missed a chair, and I grabbed the decorative rail that goes around the shelf it didn't hold me, it pulled apart and the little pegs flew from one end of the living room to the other end of the kitchen, was kinda funny hearing them land all over the hardwood floor. Actually sounded like a gun being shot. Lou had quite a task of reconstruction to get it all back in place. He was about finished and announced that he still needed one peg and we found it laying on the counter after we had looked under everything in our out and out search. Needless to say, I was a little sore the next day, but shoveling snow helped with the soreness.

The picture of the cows is a glimpse I saw out of the kitchen window as I was getting ready to wash our window. My brother had just let the cows out of the barn and they were going for a walk in the winter snow. Thought it was a pretty contrast in the newly fallen snow. I wonder if they know how lucky they are to have a nice warm barn to sleep in each evening.

Tonight is our Valentine Dance at Square Dance, also Chocolate Night. Lou and I along with Jim and Delores are in charge of refreshments and I have fixed homemade fudge, and another homemade candy that is made with crackers, and white sugar cookies that I have decorated, Delores made brownies, a different candy and all members bring their favorite chocolate dessert. Sound be a good night. The worse part is going to be wearing those short skirts with the below zero temperatures. The men are lucky they can wear "long johns" and no one knows!!

Our registration did come, so we just need some warm weather and to get caught up here at home. March 3rd is still a good goal.

Hair Cut for Estee

February 4th Friday - Beautiful - Sunny Day - No Snow Shoveling - 4 Degrees

Decided as long as we didn't have to shovel snow it was a good time to tackle the dog. She loves to have a bath, so that is not a problem, but was time to get out the clippers and do a "puppy cut" and Lou was able to be here to help me tackle the job and Estee was up for the task also. She now is ready to travel south with her new hair cut.

It really came at the right time, as we received a phone call from AAA today to tell us we should have our registration card by the middle of next week. Now this is when things get interesting, as just this week we decided we might just as well tackle a few hard jobs, so we tore the kitchen apart and have ordered new wallpaper border, curtains, placemats, you name it - any thing needed to completely redecorate the kitchen, still have to pick our new pictures for the wall and need to paint several antique shelves; however, it will all work out, I can take care of all of the inside stuff while Lou get the motor home inspected, taxes done, car inspected and the rest of the things on his list. We also have several things going on at church and at square dancing, so if we get out of here by the first of March think we will both be happy and not have to rush and feel stressed.

We actually have enjoyed our winter right here doing what we have been doing and going when we have wanted. We have had some great movie nights, Kris has gotten us started on a

great series that she and Steve have shared with us and we have been antique shopping, things we don't normally have a chance to do. Lou and I have tried some new recipes and have found some keepers, have gotten caught up on all of our correspondence and that is a great feeling, have planned several trips for the summer and made arrangements for some friends that will be coming in from out of town in June. Had a long conversation with some friends that are vacationing in Hawaii right now and having a great time, so it has been a good couple of week in spite of the cold and snow.